-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality this week . Marriage is an institution intended for two people who love one another , who want to commit to lifetime bonding as mates , and to form a family , whether it 's only the two of them , or also includes children .

The traditional concept of marriage has evolved over time . In recent history , it has been defined by most religions , and the states , as one man and a woman . Yet there are millions of humans whose makeup is such that they are attracted to the same gender and share the universal human desire to bond with a lifetime mate . They 're gays .

In 2013 , the vast majority of Americans have moved beyond prejudice toward gays and lesbians . Gay couples and their families have lived openly in our communities for more than 30 years , and we know them now as neighbors , family members and friends . In the course of living their daily lives , raising families and contributing to society , we 've come to see that gay and lesbian Americans share the same hopes and dreams as everyone else .

Yet for decades , we 've had a political debate about opposite-gender vs. same-gender marriages that has created a constant undercurrent of unrest . What many public figures have known to be true about gay people in their personal lives has been -- until recently -- unacceptable to acknowledge openly in the political realm . Over the last several years , however , public opinion has pushed our political conversation forward dramatically . Four out of five young voters , of all faiths and political parties , support marriage equality , and even those who continue to oppose marriage rights for same-sex couples can see that it is inevitable .

The problem is that even while public opinion has reached an all-time high on marriage equality , old laws discriminating against gay and lesbian Americans have stayed on the books , hurting gay couples and their families . Congress passed a law -- the Defense of Marriage Act or DOMA -- that forbade the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage , although this is a matter , constitutionally , that most agree belongs to the states to decide . And that is the wrong that the Supreme Court set right this week .

The court found DOMA to be unconstitutional -- and it also allowed marriage rights for same-sex couples to return to California .

Writing for the majority , Justice Anthony Kennedy ruled that restricting marriage to opposite-gender couples `` forces same-sex couples to live as married for the purpose of state law but unmarried for the purpose of federal law , thus diminishing the stability and predictability of basic personal relations the state has found it proper to acknowledge and protect . ''

Kennedy also said the law unfairly treated the 220,000 children of same-sex couples in American differently from the children of opposite-sex parents -- which we should all be able to agree is harsh , unnecessary and unjust . Ensuring that all children can grow up with the same federal benefits and protections afforded by their parents ' marriage and legal status is crucial , and Kennedy rightly saw the impact of not only making marriages equal for federal purposes -- but making their families equal .

Marriage is an institution that provides stability for society and for the family . By striking down DOMA and dismissing the appeal on California 's Proposition 8 , the Supreme Court has forged a bipartisan consensus that marriage is an important enough institution that it should apply to humans equally , regardless of gender . Importantly , the court also strengthened the foundation upon which advocates and officials will one day achieve marriage equality nationwide .

That was n't so hard now , was it ?

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Donna Brazile .

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Donna Brazile : Vast majority of young Americans support same-sex marriage

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Brazile : Public figures who support gays have been hesitant to make beliefs public

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Brazile : Justice Kennedy rules federal ban unfairly treats children of same-sex couples

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Court ruling shows marriage important enough to apply to all equally , she says